What are vaccines and why does my pet need them?

Getting a new pet is an exciting experience and, at times, a confusing one. In addition to learning about your pet's behaviors, and their routine, you also have to navagate their physical wellness. This means you need to know about vaccines. So, What are vaccines and what do they do? 

Vaccines help prepare the body's immune system to fight the invasion of disease-causing organisms. Vaccines contain antigens, which to the immune system,  look like the disease-causing organism. When the vaccine is introduced to the body the immune system is mildly stimulated. If a pet is ever exposed to the real disease the immune system is now prepared to recognize and fight off the disease or reduce the severity of the illness.